The Rolling Stones, here in 2005, offered heartfelt support for Mick Jagger (second from right) after the suicide of his longtime girlfriend, designer L'Wren Scott, on March 17. / Mark Seliger AP

by USA TODAY

by USA TODAY

NEW YORK (AP) - Members of the Rolling Stones are offering heartfelt support to Mick Jagger following the death of his longtime girlfriend L'Wren Scott.

The Stones canceled their seven-date tour of Australia and New Zealand following the fashion designer and celebrity stylist's apparent suicide in New York City on Monday.

Keith Richards said in a statement Wednesday that "no one saw this coming" and that Jagger has "always been my soul brother and we love him."

"We're thick as thieves and we're all feeling for the man," he added.

Charlie Watts said the band's priority is the 70-year-old Jagger.

"Needless to say we are all completely shocked but our first thought is to support Mick at this awful time," he said. "We intend to come back to Australia and New Zealand as soon as it proves possible."

Ronnie Wood echoed Watts' statement.

"This is such terrible news and right now the important thing is that we are all pulling together to offer Mick our support and help him through this sad time," Wood said. "Without a doubt we intend to be back out on that stage as soon as we can."

Scott had been Jagger's companion since 2001. The Rolling Stones frontman paid tribute to his girlfriend Tuesday on his Facebook page writing, "I will never forget her."

"I am still struggling to understand how my lover and best friend could end her life in this tragic way. We spent many wonderful years together and had made a great life for ourselves. She had great presence and her talent was much admired, not least by me."

Scott launched her high-end fashion label in 2006. First lady Michelle Obama, Nicole Kidman and Penelope Cruz were among the big names to wear her designs.

Accounts filed by Scott's LS Fashion Ltd. in London show the company had liabilities that exceeded assets by nearly $6 million as of Dec. 31, 2012.

The company's long and short-term debts totaled about $9.5 million against assets, capital and reserves of about $3.5 million, according to the accounts filed in October.

Scott recently collaborated with Banana Republic on a more affordable line of clothing.

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